WPIAL
Belle Vernon Blows Out Hickory, Advances to State Final
WEXFORD, Pa. — The Belle Vernon Area Leopards, champions of District 7, defeated the Hickory Hornets, District 10 champions, in the PIAA Class-3A state playoffs, 42-16. With the blowout victory, the Leopards will participate in the state championship game for the second consecutive season after they won the PIAA title a season ago.
The Leopards started with the football and wasted little time in claiming the lead as Braden Laux scampered in from the 3-yard line. The first drive spanned 13 plays and took over six and a half minutes off of the game clock.
The Hornets answered back midway through the second quarter with an impressive 40-yard field goal by Lukas Jones but that would be the last time that the team scored in the first half.
As for the Leopards, the offensive output was just starting as they extended their lead just 54 seconds later. After a 21-yard rush by Kole Doppelheuer got the Leopards into Hornets’ territory, Quinton Martin rushed it in from 20 yards away for his first score of the night. Martin scored again later in the second quarter on a 39-yard screenplay.
The other Belle Vernon score of the first half happened on a 60-yard touchdown burst by Jake Gedekoh which was sprung by a whole pancake block by Anthony Crews. The Leopards entered halftime with a huge led as they lead the Hornets, 28-3.
On the opening drive of the second half, the Leopards extended their lead on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Laux. The Hornets went onto score their first touchdown of the game just seconds later on a 91-yard kickoff return by Kelvin Morrison. Then again just three minutes after on a short strike to Parker Hillard from Zander Telesz.
While the Hornets scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, they were never able to catch the Leopards and ultimately fell by multiple scores.
With the semifinal victory, the Leopards will travel to Chapman Field in Cumberland Valley to attempt to win their second state title in as many years. The Leopards will play the winner of Wyomissing and Northwestern Lehigh in the PIAA Class-3A State Championship on Dec. 9, 2023.
GALLERY:
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- Belle Vernon’s Braden Laux (14) looks down field before attempting a pass during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Hickory at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Belle Vernon’s Jake Gedekoh (10) runs the ball during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Hickory at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Hickory’s Kelvin Morrison (12) runs the ballduring the PIAA 3A semifinals against Belle Vernon at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin runs for a big gain in the first quarter during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Hickory at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Hickory’s Will Acrie (7) returns a kickoff during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Belle Vernon at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Hickory’s Kelvin Morrison (12) tosses a reverse to Will Acrie (7) during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Belle Vernon at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Hickory’s Luke Lewis (75) sets before a snap during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Belle Vernon at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Belle Vernon’s Adam LaCarte (19) celebrates after an interception during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Hickory at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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- Belle Vernon’s Alonzo Wade runs with the ball during the PIAA 3A semifinals against Hickory at Newman Stadium in Wexford on Friday. Image by Jared Todhunter
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Enjoy it – back to 4A next yr.
Interesting how the enrollment numbers decreased 2 yrs ago in a school district that has grown for 20 years. And now the enrollment somehow increased. Funny how that happens.
Funny how most of BV players and Mr. Wonderful Martin are all from Monessen. Somebody paid someone for this team to be 3A. Only team they lost to was when TJ put a arsh whopping on the Leopards.